September 2017

In her speech to Labour Party conference this week, my colleague, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry MP made the very welcome announcement that the next Labour Government will completely reform the legal and regulatory framework governing the export of arms from the UK to foreign governments. All over the world the place you are most likely to find “Made in …

The Universal Credit roll out will happen in Cardiff in February 2018 despite major and widespread concerns about its impact on recipients so far. I have written, with other MPs, to the Conservative Minister asking for the roll out to be paused. Intended to replace six means tested benefits, Universal Credit has left many people in dire need. They have found their existing …

This week, I attended the Holocaust Memorial Day Parliamentary Reception, organised by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. 27 January is the day for everyone to remember the millions murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. HMD is a day to honour the survivors of these atrocities and learn the lessons …

On 21st July, the Tory Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP, slipped out a written statement in Parliament on the last day before the summer break cancelling electrification of the mainline between Cardiff and Swansea. The Government have tried to present this as ‘good’ news on the basis there will be no disruption for passengers and residents living near the line …

I have written to the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, along with 156 parliamentarians led by my Labour colleague Rushanara Ali MP, calling for government action to help end the appalling violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The letter is below. Rt. Hon Boris Johnson MP, Foreign Secretary, Foreign Commonwealth Office, Kings Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH 6th September …

Recently I wrote to Boots plc with Labour MP colleagues about the extortionate cost of emergency contraception at their pharmacies. Boots were charging significantly more than other pharmacies such as Tesco and Superdrug. So I was pleased when they wrote to me to say they had made a decision to slightly reduce the price. I wasn’t so pleased that their …

Tonight, I will be voting in the House of Commons on the EU Withdrawal Bill. The Bill has reached what is called the second reading stage of its passage through Parliament. The Bill sets out the government’s approach to how Britain will leave the EU and what role Parliament will play in the process. I will be voting against the Bill. I’ll …

The past seven years of Tory & Lib Dem austerity have taken many of our public services to the brink – especially council services. And dedicated public sector workers have borne the brunt of this destructive and disastrous political choice. Because that’s what it is; a political choice not an economic necessity. And whilst money gets poured into England for …